Voting for the November EBW Challenge

I'll be honest: I have been torn about promoting this challenge and future EBW challenges all month. I have a very minor leadership role on the team and get to participate in the discussions about moderating entries. Lately this has nearly set me over the edge. I don't know if people get some sort of power trip out of denying entries in a beading contest through Etsy or criticizing people who did win whose entries "stretched" the theme, but I sure don't. Most people on the team don't even participate in the voting process, let alone promoting the challenge for the sake of the team. I'm hanging in there for the remainder of 2012, but I think that my patience will be gone by 2013. This saddens me because the team has been a huge asset for my beadwork since I got serious about my beading in 2008, and there are a lot of talented people there. But I think that my priorities are better spent elsewhere.

With that being said, there are still many gorgeous entries for the November theme, Circles and Squares. With all of the drama going on this month and the crazy limitations that got set within this theme, I wasn't very inspired to create anything myself even though I'm a huge fan of geometric shapes.

Voting takes place on the EBW blog through November 15. Please check out all of the entries and vote for your favorite. If you can't see the clickable mosaic, click here.

Here are just a few of my favorite pieces for this challenge.

Retro chunky rainbow geometric bead embroidered statement bracelet by MoonsafariBeads

Cowboy Geometry Necklace by thistledew4u

Circles and Squares Geometric Modern Beaded Bracelet in Red White and Black by MegansBeadedDesigns

treasury round up

Thank you as always to the wonderful Etsians who include my work in their treasuries!  There are several new ones this week.

Cathy (DanglersBeads) included my Beaded Bangle Bracelet - Dreaming of Hawaii in her Somewhere Over the Rainbow treasury.  Thanks Cathy!

12mm African Jade Round Beads - 16 Inch Strand

Edi (memoriesforlifesb) included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Summer Stripes in her Summer Lovin' by the EtsyBloggers treasury.

GRANDPA Word Album Mini Chipboard Scrapbook

Connie (AsteropeBC) included my Square Stitch Cuff Bracelet - Embellished - Summer in her Spicy Hot Beadweaver Summer treasury.  I am honored to be included in this stunning beadwoven selection of items.  Thanks Connie!

Colorful Star Flower Handmade Bracelet

spring treasury and a remake of a girly design

Michele (idahobeadweaver) included my Beaded Pendant - Peyote Triangle - Spring Green in her Etsy Bead Weavers are Ready for Spring Green and Blue Skies! treasury yesterday.  Thanks Michele!

Also, here's one of my recent remakes.  This listing was badly in need of some new pictures.  The OT that I work with at my school bought the original one over the summer so I still get to see it, which is neat.  I'm going to make a turquoise/red version of this design next.  I have some other remakes done (just not photographed) so I'll have some more updated listings over the next couple weeks.

Beaded Bracelet - Silver Links - Girly

Etsy Beadweavers: Orange

I'm feeling crappy tonight for about five different reasons so I'm keeping this post pretty simple. I put together a byhand.me spotlight last night featuring orange creations from the Etsy Beadweavers. Orange is definitely another underrated color.

congrats and recent happenings

Congratulations to StudioAnnieVeillette who won the August EBW Challenge First Ladies of Style with her Royal Blue - Marie-Antoinette piece! I know that everyone probably gets tired of me saying this but all of the entries were gorgeous as always. The September entries are already coming in and have not disappointed yet. I haven't started mine yet, but hopefully I will get that done in time for the challenge.

I also encourage everyone to check out the winners of Use the Muse II. Use the Muse III is already underway. Information about that can be found on the same site if anyone is interested in entering.

I realized that I actually sold 16 pieces over my vacation if you count the piece that my grandma bought. I hadn't thought about that because I completed it sometime last month and actually never posted a picture of the larger version here until now.


I got a custom order this week from my co-worker who bought my turquoise leafy bracelet last month. Apparently her niece loves it and would like a green version. I am excited to use the large green leaves I have that match the large turquoise ones in Cindy's bracelet. I'm also just really happy that my leafy bracelets are continuing to do so well!

Jan./Feb. EBW Tropical Holiday Challenge

The voting for the challenge is up! I am blown away by how many beautiful creations there are in this challenge:


I am also blown away by how many people have viewed the listing for my entry - Dreaming of Hawaii - on Etsy. Thank you so much for all of your interest in my little bangle!

Please go to the EBW blog - http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com and vote for my bangle (on the right side of the page, my entry is #3) as well as check out all of the other amazing creations that were entered. You can vote from Feb 9-15. :)

EBW January/February Challenge

EBW Challenge time is coming up again! I'm entering it this time. It's my first challenge entry. I felt very humble listing my entry today because the three other entries already listed are AMAZING. My bangle is very very simple in comparison. But it's colorful and fitting for the theme nonetheless. I know I don't have any real chance of winning, but if I get any votes I'll be pretty excited.

Voting will be from Feb. 9-15. I will post reminders again when it gets closer. For now you can admire (and purchase) my tropical holiday bangle here:

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are enjoying the rest of the long weekend. I have been having a good time with family thus far. I've had the opportunity to share a lot of my jewelry pieces in person, which has been nice. People are great about giving me feedback through my pictures online, but it's different in person. It's been nice seeing the reactions in person. I'm also planning to give bracelets to my mom, mother-in-law, and little sister-in-law, and I have a much better idea what I will be giving now and what sizes I will need to make everything.

I was accepted into the Etsybeadweavers' Street Team (EBW) today! I have been admiring their work ever since I found out about Etsy back in July, and am very excited to be a member now. You can check out the EBW on blogspot: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ (my name is not under the members list there yet...hopefully it will be soon) and on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsybeadweavers/ . You can also find EBW pieces on Etsy by searching for "ebw" or "ebw team" under the handmade items section.

I already posted about my Christmas charm bracelet. Here are pictures of the other Christmas bracelets that I have made thus far:

This one does not have to be worn at Christmas time, but I think the colors are fitting for the holiday: